sundance-communications.com/forum Forums General General Telephone & Systems Information how to get a start

I was working in the distribution center at a large retailer and was approached by the telecom manager. There I was sweating, breathing UPS exhaust, when he walks up as says "How would like a real job?". He needed a helper, heard I had a great reputation as a hard worker, and next thing i know I'm installing SL1 telephones. No clue. Like others have said, you just get thrown into the fire a lot of times and you have to sink or swim. Can't tell you how many key systems I've installed that I had never seen before. You really do need to have friends in the industry to refer to when you have questions. Here ya are.

Well, here's my story. I've wanted to be a telephone man since I was 7 0r 8 years old. I took the Bell test at age 18 and failed. They said I took to long to follow the schmatic. Forward 15-17 years to 1974, I started installing residential jacks. Didn't know anything about phone systems. I thought that the hunt feature was taken care of by the phone system. I bought a ITT 1a2 and started playing and learning how to install it with no help from anyone. Got better, and installed a couple a hundred of those used 1a2's. We sold many different brands over the years, but for the last 18 years are almost 100% Panasonic. This has been my true calling. It's been quite a ride.

Johhz, you hit the nail on the head. You are either in this business or you aren't. There really is no gray area.

Focus on learning correct standards, methods, and practices. This site provides a goldmine of experiences and valuable information shared by Instructors, Installers, Switch and PBX Transport and Provisioning Technicians, Business Owners, etc, etc.

This thread also provides you with how alot of others here got their start in this crazy industry.

aboard, Jerry!

It's funny, I never imagined I would be in this business. I always wanted to be an auto mechanic

There are many types or segments of the industry… Hard to say as time goes and your career goes though it’s own “moves, adds and changes” where you’ll end up.

My advice to the two foundations you will really need to have to build on in telecommunications is “electrical theory” and “networking.” Learn from classes or self-teach yourself from books. Get those two things learned and learned well and from there as you gain hands on experience you’ll be able to adapt and grow in the biz where ever you’d end up.

I do wan to tell you though… You idea of getting into it as a “side job” on your own, first does not seem to me to be a good plan… Unless you plan on working as helper for an experienced tech/installer that does side work. That way you could be properly “sucked in” to the industry!

I have 37 years with MaBell and I would like nothing more than to have a helper to do the grunt work and incidently learn what I know. About three years, then I could retire knowing it is not all lost knowledge.

JTC,

From a telephone guy of over 4 decades in the industry, you have heard about all there is to hear. Now it is up to you.

Customer service is the name of the game.

If you aren't customer oriented, don't.

If you are good with your hands, have good people skills, and your IQ is bigger than the number of ports on a CG's hub, GO FOR IT !!!

Google for tech schools. Get a helper's job. Ask questions. Do it until you can do it with your eyes closed.

Good luck.

There is something I realized with my work which is mostly computer repairs. There is no recurring revenue. I have to cultivate the relationships with my customers, so when there is a problem they will still call me.

Hello,

I am trying to find the most effective solution to my problem.

I have a firm alarm sytem, a security system, and a fax line. I want to eliminate one line.

I have a dedicated line for fire with a secondary for backup.

I want to use the secondary line for the security, fire and fax. But I need the line to be seized in case of emergency from either fire or the security system. any ideas any one?